When does my EIN arrive (international founder)?
4 business days via the IRS fax line if you do not have an SSN or ITIN. Same day if you do.
Two channels for EIN issuance:
If you have an SSN or ITIN, we use the IRS online application and your EIN issues immediately. You see it in your dashboard within an hour.
If you have neither (most foreign founders without prior US tax presence), we prepare Form SS-4 and submit it via the IRS international fax channel at +1 (855) 215-1627. The IRS faxes the EIN back to us, typically within 4 business days.
You may have read that the foreign EIN process takes 6-8 weeks. That is the timeline for mailing the form. The fax channel is significantly faster.
Your dashboard shows the current status: "SS-4 prepared", "Submitted to IRS fax", "EIN received." We email you the EIN confirmation letter (CP 575) as soon as the IRS returns it.
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Contact a specialistAt a glance
- What is it
- When does my ein arrive (international founder)? is a regulated business process governed by federal or state agencies. File.Business handles the paperwork, filings, and tracking for you.
- Why it matters
- Doing this correctly the first time avoids penalties, late fees, and personal liability exposure for owners.
- Who needs it
- Any US business that has triggered the relevant requirement - usually based on entity type, state, or business activity.
- When it is due
- Deadlines vary by agency and state. We track your specific dates and remind you ahead of any filing window.
- How it works
- Tell us what you need, review the prepared filing, and we submit through the agency's official channel.
- What it costs
- Pricing is shown on this page with state and federal fees disclosed separately from our service fee.
- Risks of skipping
- Penalties, administrative dissolution, loss of liability shield, blocked transactions, or audit triggers depending on the filing.
- Alternatives
- File directly with the agency yourself, hire a law firm, or use a competing service. File.Business is the fastest premium option.